Tekonsha P3 Installation Manual - User Manual

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P/N 5881

REV A

12/06

™

Electronic Brake Control

For 2, 4, 6 and 8 brake applications

READ THIS FIRST:

Read and follow all instructions carefully before
installing or operating the P3. Keep these
instructions with the Brake Control for future
reference.

Table of Contents

Installation Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2 - 3

Mounting P3, Automatic Leveling of Sensor .

3 - 4

Set Brake Type . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Adjusting the Power to the Brakes . . . . . . . . .

Setting Boost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

5 - 6

Reverse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Set Language . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Set Screen Brightness / Color / Contrast . . . . .

Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Warnings & Cautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Components of the Brake Control

A. Power Buttons
B. Boost Button
C. Menu/Options Button
D. LCD Display Screen
E. Connector (For Wiring Harness)
F. Mounting Hole (1 per side)
G. Manual Knob

Important Facts to Remember

Do not mount or activate RF generating items
(cell phones, two way radios) near (less than 12")
the brake control.

The P3 employs an inertial sensor. It senses
deceleration and generates an output that is based
on deceleration, thus the term “Proportional
Braking”.

The P3 will “HOLD” your trailer with 25% of
power setting while you are at a standstill with
brake pedal applied for longer than 5 seconds.

The P3 will brake proportionally in reverse.
It will apply the appropriate brake voltage based
on deceleration.

WARNING The Gross Combined Weight Rating

(GCWR) must never exceed the vehicle manufac-
turers recommendation.

CAUTION Boost not intended to be used during

icy road conditions.

7. For

Technical

Assistance

and

Warranty

Information call: 1-888-785-5832 or

www.tekonsha.com.

Installation Guide

Mount your P3 brake control in the direction of travel
and in a location where display is viewable and buttons
are easily accessible.

Wiring Brake Control

Your P3 brake control has a unique connector located
at the back of the control. This connector allows you
two options to wire your brake control.

Option 1:

Use Pigtail Wiring Harness included. This harness can
be installed by following the Generic Wiring Guide.

Option 2:

Use an OEM specific wiring harness. If your vehicle
came with a factory tow package that included a 7-way
connector, you can purchase a Tekonsha OEM wiring
harness with the P3 connector on one end and your
specific vehicle's connector on the other.

Display Readings after Wiring the P3

After successfully wiring your P3 you should see the
following on the LCD display:

•

Power to P3 without trailer connected.

•

Power to P3 with trailer connected Boost feature
engaged (

•

Manual Knob Activated without trailer connected.

•

Manual knob activated (with trailer), 5.4 denotes a
hypothetical power output. This value is set using
the Power Buttons. Range is 0.0 to 15 volts. This
is an indication of voltage output to electric brakes.

ALTERNATING SCREENS

•

Power to P3 but display is in power saving mode
(no motion or activity for at least fifteen minutes).

Mounting the P3

Traditional Bracket Mount

Mounting Bracket

#8 X 3/8" Machine Screw with Internal Tooth
Washer

CAUTION Drilling or use of longer screws may

damage unit.

Securely mount bracket to a solid surface.

Insert supplied

#8 x 3/8" machine screws

on each

side into the mounting holes.

Adjust control to desired position and tighten

screws

until snug.

Under Dash Pocket Mount

T Slot Mount

Small Metal Bracket

#8 X 3/8" Self Tapping Screws

Securely mount

Small Metal Bracket

to a solid

surface using supplied #8 X 3/8" Self Tapping
Screws.

Securely mount

T Slot Mount

to Small Metal

Bracket using supplied #8 X 3/8" Self Tapping
Screws.

Plug in connector.

Insert P3 Brake control.

NOTE:

Front of the P3 must be horizontal,

see below

The P3 must be parallel to direction of travel,

see below

Automatic Leveling of the Sensor

The P3 will automatically acquire the proper level
setting. It will also automatically adjust as you travel
up or down hills.

Set Brake Type

Press Menu/Options Button to view Setup screen.
Select/highlight

Brake Type

and Press

(Menu

Button).

Select/highlight

Electric

Hydraulic

and Press

(Menu Button).

Select/highlight

Confirm

and Press

(Menu Button).

Screen should show Brake Type Setting

(Electric) or

(Hydraulic) in the lower left of screen.

Incorrect

Correct

Direction of Travel

Adjusting the Power to the Trailer
Brakes

(Prior to setting Boost)

Once the control has been securely mounted, it is
necessary to set the power needed to stop the trailer
during a braking event.
1.

Connect trailer to tow vehicle.

With engine running set power (with Power
Buttons) to indicate 6.0

Drive tow vehicle and trailer on a dry level paved
surface at 25 mph and fully apply Manual Knob.

✓

If trailer brakes lock up:

❑

Turn power down using Power Buttons.

✓

If braking was not sufficient:

❑

Turn power up using Power Buttons.

Repeat Step (3) until power has been set to a point
just below wheel lock up or at a sufficient force as
to achieve maximum braking power.

Using the brake pedal, make a few low speed
stops to check the power setting. Trailer braking is
initiated and terminated via the stoplight switch.
When the brake pedal is released, trailer braking
will cease.

Boost Setting

The boost button was designed to allow a more aggressive
setting for your trailer brakes and is available in three
levels -

. Each incremental boost setting

increases the sensitivity of the P3’s inertial sensor,
enhancing the participation of the trailer brakes during a
braking event.

Truck/Trailer B1

icons on the screen indicate

Boost On

For example: With the boost off

, during a braking event,

the power to the brakes starts out at zero and increases
with deceleration.

With the boost on level 1

, during a braking event, the power automatically starts

out at approximately 13% of the power setting and
increases with deceleration.

With the boost on level 2

or with the boost on level 3

, during a braking

event, the power automatically starts out at approximately
25% of the power setting and increases with deceleration.

Some cases where you might want to use the boost button:
•

You like the trailer braking to ‘LEAD’ the tow
vehicle’s braking

•

Towing a full vs. empty trailer

•

Degraded brake performance (most electric brakes

require manual adjustment - see Appendix A or a

dealer for adjustment or repair)

(Boost Setting continued on next page)

Boost On

See the chart below for recommended “Boost” settings
(indicated with

) for typical Trailer to Vehicle weight

relationships.

Select your boost setting based on your towing situation,
driving preference and condition of your trailer brakes.

Typical Boost Settings For

Optimal Performance

TRAILER WEIGHT compared to VEHICLE WEIGHT

(with properly adjusted trailer brakes*)

WARNING

Do not exceed Gross

Combined Weight Rating (GCWR)

* Increased Boost setting may be needed if trailer

brakes are worn, see Appendix A or a dealer for brake
adjustment or repair.

INCREASING BOOST LEVEL

➮

BOOST “OFF”

NOTE:

Boost not intended to be used to take place of

trailer brake adjustment or repair.

Trailer weighs

LESS

than Vehicle

Trailer weighs

APPROXIMATELY SAME

as Vehicle

Trailer weighs

UP TO 25% MORE

than Vehicle

Trailer weighs

UP TO 40% MORE

than Vehicle

Trailer weighs

OVER 40% MORE

than Vehicle

”

NOTE:

Always warm the trailer's brakes before setting the
power. Warm trailer brakes tend to be more
responsive than cold brakes. To warm trailer
brakes, drive a short distance (1/4 mile) at 45 MPH
with manual lever engaged enough to cause trailer
braking at a low level.

WARNING The power should never be set high

enough to cause trailer brakes to lock up. Skidding
trailer wheels can cause loss of directional stability
of trailer and tow vehicle.

The power/Boost may need to be adjusted for
different load weights and road conditions.

Not all trailer brakes will lock up due to various
conditions. However, inability to lock up the
brakes generally indicates the need for an
inspection to determine the cause.

When the power is set correctly you should feel
unified braking between the trailer and tow vehicle.

(BOOST “OFF”)

Reverse

When backing a trailer you can cancel “BOOST”
and “HOLD” for a period of three minutes. This can
be accomplished by pressing the boost button continu-
ously for five seconds with the brake pedal depressed.
The display will indicate:

Release boost button and the “R” Arrow icon will flash.

After three minutes the “BOOST” and “HOLD”
features will automatically return to your previous
settings.

NOTE:

Returning to your previous settings prior to three min-
utes can be accomplished by pressing the boost button.

Flashes

Set Language

Press Menu/Options Button to view Setup screen.
Select/highlight

Help

and Press

(Menu Button).

Select/highlight

Language

and Press

(Menu

Button).

Select/highlight

English

(or

French

Spanish)

and Press

(Menu Button).

Set Screen Brightness/ Color/ Contrast

Press Menu/Options Button to view Setup screen.
Select/highlight

Help

and Press

(Menu Button).

Select/highlight

Display

and Press

(Menu

Button).

Select/highlight option to change -

Brightness /

Color / Contrast

and Press

(Menu Button)..

Brightness has

High / Normal / Low

as options.

Select your desired Brightness and Press

(Menu

Button).

Color has

Pink / White / Blue / Green /

Cyan / Light Blue / Magenta / Orange / Light
Green

as options. Select your desired Color and Press

(Menu Button).

Contrast has

Normal / High

as options. Select your

desired Contrast and Press

(Menu Button). High

contrast makes the text black on colored background.

Troubleshooting

Press Menu/Options Button to view Setup screen.
Select/highlight

Help

and Press

(Menu Button).

Select/highlight

Trouble Shoot

and Press

(Menu

Button).

Select/highlight

Trouble Shoot

and Press

(Menu

Button). The following 4 functions are available for
diagnostic and troubleshooting.

Displays the vehicle battery voltage (black wire).

Displays voltage supplied from stop lamp switch with
brake pedal depressed (red wire).

Displays average voltage provided to the trailer brakes
(blue wire).

Displays the current provided to the trailer brakes
(blue wire).

Warnings & Cautions

The P3 has built in troubleshooting/diagnostic features.

Situation:

screen flashes

Warning! Open Ground

Probable Cause:

Trailer is connected and P3 loses

connection to battery ground.

Situation:

screen flashes

Warning! Overload

Probable Cause:

P3 detects an excessive current

overload condition during operation.

Situation:

screen flashes

Warning! Output Shorted

Probable Cause:

1. Detects brake output wire shorted to ground

short during idle condition.

2. Use of some test lights or non-Tekonsha testers

can cause this problem.

Situation:

screen flashes

Caution! Power Loss

Probable Cause:

Power to P3 interrupted during

braking or stop lamp active while connecting power
to TBC.

Situation:

screen flashes

No Trailer Connection!

Probable Cause:

1. Trailer not connected to tow vehicle.
2. Trailer connected with open circuit on

brake line.

3. Trailer connector disconnected or corroded.
4. Loss trailer brake magnet ground.

ALTERNATING SCREENS

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